HOLIDAY CAMP VOLUNTEERS
UPCOMING LEADERSHIP EVENTS AND CAMPS
Our volunteer leaders are what make camp extra special for our campers. We love having leaders with different personalities, passions, skills, and experiences work together to make camp awesome! There are different areas people can work in at camp, including cabin leading, support crew, media, kitchen, programme help, games, and medical.
If you want to be a leader, “Step Up” is the camp for beginning your leadership journey at camp. This is for ages 14-16, and does not need an application form - just sign up for the Step Up programme.
If you are a first time leader (either have been invited to apply or are 16+ and want to volunteer), please complete our first time leaders application form before signing up for a camp - we would love to have you apply!
If you are a returning leader, register for a camp!
Jump to Leadership Development Pathway
Where do I start?
Start with Step Up
Step Up is usually the best place to begin your leadership journey.
Designed for ages 14–16, Step Up helps you grow in confidence and faith, develop practical leadership skills, and experience serving alongside experienced leaders.
If you're 16 and completely new to leadership, Step Up may still be the right place to start.
Apply to Become a Camp Leader
If you're 16 or older, or you're 14–15 with significant leadership experience, we'd love to hear from you.
Apply to be a leader and we'll get to know you, learn about your experience, and help determine the best place for you in our leadership pathway.
Already involved?
If you've attended Step Up before, are a returning leader, or have been invited to LIT, head to the Leadership Hub for registrations, resources, calendars, and everything you need before camp.
—> Visit the Leadership Hub
Our volunteer leaders are what make Bridge Valley camps so special. Whether you're taking your first steps in leadership or already have experience, we'd love to help you find the right place to start.
At Bridge Valley, we believe leadership is about serving others, growing in character, and creating unforgettable camp experiences for young people.
Become a Camp Leader
LEADERSHIP
PATHWAY
LEADERSHIP PATHWAY
We believe great leaders are developed over time. Our leadership pathway is designed to help young people grow in confidence, character, faith, and practical leadership skills while being supported every step of the way.
While many participants begin with Step Up and progress through LIT before becoming Holiday Camp Leaders, we'll work with each applicant to determine the best starting point based on their age, experience, and readiness.
Leaders in Training (LIT)
Invitation Only
LIT is the next step for selected Step Up participants who are ready for greater leadership responsibility.
Running alongside camp, LITs continue growing in their faith while putting their leadership into practice through mentoring, shadowing experienced Cabin Leaders, and building relationships with campers.
What you'll experience
Mentoring from experienced leaders
Practical leadership experience with campers
Continued growth in faith, character, and servant leadership
Coaching and feedback as you prepare for future Cabin Leader responsibilities
If you've been invited to LIT, you'll also need to complete a First Time Leader Application before camp so we can complete the required child safety checks.
Holiday Camp Leaders
Our Holiday Camp Leaders are volunteers who give their time to help create fun, safe, and faith-filled camp experiences where every young person feels welcomed, valued, and encouraged.
At Bridge Valley, we believe the best leaders are servant-hearted leaders. Whether leading a cabin, helping behind the scenes, or supporting another area of camp, every leader plays an important role in serving others and sharing God's love.
Our Holiday Camp Leaders serve in a variety of roles, including:
Cabin Leaders
Games Team
Programme Assistance
Kitchen
Media
Camp Parents & Medical
And more!
Every new leader completes an application process so we can get to know them, complete the appropriate child safety checks, and help place them in the role that's the best fit for their strengths, experience, and readiness.
Step Up (ages 14-16)
Step Up is our faith-based leadership development programme for young people beginning their leadership journey.
Running alongside our Junior Holiday Camp, participants learn through a combination of Bible teaching, leadership sessions, practical serving, mentoring, and hands-on experience throughout the week.
What you'll experience
Developing practical leadership, teamwork, and communication skills
Growing in your faith and understanding of the Bible
Serving around camp and helping with activities
Learning about child safety, responsibility, and caring well for others
Building friendships and becoming part of the Bridge Valley team.
Good to know
You don't need to be a Christian to attend, but the programme is faith-based
Most participants attend more than one Step Up camp
You'll be part of a dedicated Step Up group with experienced leaders
Participants who demonstrate readiness may be invited into our Leaders in Training (LIT) programme
We love having new leaders come through, so if you have never lead at camp before, check out the information below.
Our leadership programmes are very important to us and we put a lot of effort into them. We value giving young people opportunities to lead others and want to train them to do so in the best and most thorough way possible!
Step Up
Our Step Up program is all about learning what it means to be a leader, and learning skills to be a Bridge Valley leader! It mainly includes a lot of intensive sessions with our key leaders and staff, serving in many different ways, helping run the games, and doing team building activities. It is for anyone aged 14+ (no prior experience needed), and is required before going through to LIT and Volunteering. If you are over 16 and/or had leadership experience, you can inquire about leading at camp without completing LIT (email holidaycamps@bridgevalley.co.nz).
Step Ups generally do multiple camps to ensure they go through a range of session topics, feel equipped, and also so we get a good understanding of skills and character. Step Up participants may be invited to take part in our LIT (Leader in Training) programme before going through to be a cabin leader.
L.I.T. (Leaders in Training)
The L.I.T. role is a more hands-on, practical experience where you do some more intentional sessions to prepare you for cabin leading, and spending a lot of time shadowing a cabin leader and interacting with the children at camp. It is a chance to practice what you have learnt but still with a lot of support.
If you have been invited to attend as an L.I.T., you must fill out a first time leaders application AND sign up for the camp you will attend. This application form is required for any first time leader so we can get all the child safety checks completed before they arrive to lead at camp. It is important to fill this out well before camp, as it can take a long time to process the paperwork.
Holiday Camp Volunteers
Majority of our volunteer team are our amazing cabin leaders. They are responsible for a cabin of 6-8 campers throughout the week. Our cabin leaders are passionate, servant-hearted, loving, fun, and great role models!
Some of our volunteer team are in support crew roles such as camp parents, games master, programme assistant, and more.
If you are a new leader or have not lead at camp in a long time, it is important to fill out a first time leaders application form to ensure child safety paperwork is up to date.
If you have lead at camp before, you still must register for camp each holidays. Please sign up for camp prior to the two weeks leading up to camp (ideally a month) so that we can organise as much as we can in advance.